HAAD Introduces Chickenpox Vaccine into Immunization Program

The varicella vaccine is a live (attenuated) vaccine that protects against the viral disease commonly known as Chickenpox. Effective from today the vaccine will be introduced to the program for children born on or after 1st September 2009. The minimum age to immunize a child against chickenpox is 12 months.

As part of HAAD’s mandate to improve the public health of the Emirate, it continually reviews, updates and expands the vaccination schedule based on the burden of the disease in the Emirate, cost-effectiveness, practicality of applying the program and WHO recommendation. Routine immunization against chickenpox is implemented in the United States, and the incidence of chickenpox has been dramatically reduced there (from 4 million cases per year in the pre-vaccine era to approximately 400,000 cases per year as of 2005).

Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Section Head Communication Diseases, said; “During 2009 HAAD received notification of 7219 cases of Chicken pox. Introducing the vaccine to the national immunization program will help to combat this highly contagious illness. While the vaccine has been registered in the UAE for some time, it has previously been targeted at specific groups. The national immunization program was introduced in UAE since 1978, this program included the basic 6 vaccines against tuberculosis, Polio, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertusis and Measles. The program was updated and expanded to include increased number of vaccines against more diseases.

For further information please contact your General Practitioner. The vaccine will be available in health facilities from 3rd October 2010.